Songwriting...

[CosmicSerpent]

So, I don't know if anyone here writes their own lyrics and stuff, but I figured it was worth a shot. I've played guitar for almost 9 years... I'm not incredible or anything, but I've been in a locally successful band and I know my shit pretty well. I also sing a little bit... I used to do backup vocals in the band, and lately I've been singing a lot more. I don't have a problem writing songs on guitar, and I don't have a problem coming up with decent vocal melodies, but one area where I'm completely lacking is lyrics.

It's like I constantly have writer's block. I've tried for hours on numerous occasions throughout the years to write lyrics to a song, or at least part of one, and nothing I come up with is any good. Sometimes I can come up with a good line here and there, but it never leads to anything else. The words always sound stupid, and don't flow like a song should flow. Does anyone have any advice?

[jcp63]

Carry around a note pad or a voice activated recorder. I normally get inspiration to write lyrics on a whim, or if I see something that wold inspire lyrics.

[livingfree]

Not everyone who sings is a lyricist. Some people can do it and others may really struggle at it.
One thing is for sure though, sitting down for an extended period of time just trying to think of something isn't going to get you very far. You will likely wind up getting frustrated and tired.

You need to find something inspirational.
Currently I am recording a song with an internet friend, I told him I wanted a stoner-ish rock/metal track. Well, I didn't know what I would sing about, turns out I went with the theme of marijuana.

Improvising can help you find something to sing about that you didn't know was on your mind. I just let it flow and it came out. Other times I randomly thin about something in the day or something that is going on around me and I think, "I'd like to write a song about that".

Sometimes it will start off as something small and you just let your imagination run wild and expand largely from what began as a small idea.

[Buddeh]

Write about life experiences and things that have happened to you. The effect of the event could be for better or for worse. The beautiful thing about music is everyone can relate to situations in lyrics. It won't matter what the lyrics are saying, if it comes from your heart it will sound amazing to you. I remember I wrote a song one time when I was bored in Study Hall. I even included the chorus and everything. But I agree with livingfree, you can't sit there and expect ideas to pop in your head. Have girl problems? Write about it in a song! Writing music and poetry is your one chance to really express yourself and how you feel. Good luck.

[Razzy]

Oh yeah, I forgto I'm a writer.

Let me give you some advice, albeit, a little bit high.

I don't do a lot of singing myself, but I write a lot of lyrics in my head, and have been playing for a bit longer than you have, but I understand where you're coming from very well. It's not easy pulling out something witty or meaningful that doesn't sound like absolute shit. Even the best lyrics will have a tough time fitting into modern song structures without extensive stretching and manipulation of your music, but that's a whole nother topics. I would suggest, very highly I must add, that you begin reading more and more poetry than you are now. Songs are litterally poems set to music (although I'm beginning to question how well known that is these days lol). It's the same thing for writing books- if you read more, you will inherintly write better. It's a natural sense, you just pick up on things you didn't before. Reading vast amounts of poetry with varying beats, verse sructures and rythems will help your brain to better discern between word patterns. Trust me dude, return to the basics of song writing, beef up on them, and you will improve.

The rest is just rocking out to whatever music you have written. Good luck bud!

[CosmicSerpent]

Thanks for all the advice. It's definitely good to hear other musicians' perspectives about the situation. I guess my problem is that the lyrics I DO come up with are structured kind of awkwardly and/or way too cliche. It's hard to be original these days. But as many of you pointed out, what else should I expect when I'm sitting there getting frustrated about it?

There are a few things I'm going to try... one is carrying around a notepad. I'm also going to write and record all of the music parts first, then come up with a good vocal melody (since that part isn't so hard for me), then start forming words and phrases that work right and just expand from there. I'm also going to read some poetry and some of my favorite artists' lyrics.

The main reason I have the desire to write lyrics is because I've always been a part of bands and other people's musical projects, but I've never really done anything solo. I love jamming, and I've written a few decent instrumental songs here and there. So what I'm doing is a solo project with me on vocals, guitar, and bass... and drum beats on Fruity Loops.

[scoobydooby67]

some of my my favorite songwriting styles are those that lack any real structure.

a lot of folk and bluegrass often ulitize a more prose approach to lyrics,

rather than a definite and absolute rhythm and rhyme to word structure.

i find it refreshing.

[wardieryu]

write random shit and make it rhyme. it usually sounds cool